WHOA WHOA WHOA.. Server system? - 11/5/08

Some details on the Left 4 Dead server and matchmaking system have been released. Below is an e-mail on the HLDS mailing list from Valve's Eric Smith:

Left 4 Dead will use the new matchmaking system we've been working on.

The new matchmaking system replaces the traditional server browser. By running a public dedicated server your server will be added to a list of servers available for clients to use when playing. Games are started from a Game Lobby by clients, who are then connected to a dedicated server when they start the game. When they're done, your server is added back to the list of available servers. Clients will be able to "Quick Match", "Play Online", and "Play With Friends" when they want to play a game.

You will still have access to the traditional Message of the Day for your server. For Left 4 Dead, we've added a banner ad you can create that will be displayed to clients when they're playing on your server. There is also a ranking system to show the popularity of your server.

This is the first version of what we've been working on, and we're going to want feedback from all of you once things start turning up tomorrow.

This is about all the information we have at this time, so we warn you that the following is an overreaction caused by lack of knowledge of the situation.

From what we understand, there will be no server browser. You will not be able to select a specific server to play on. If your clan pitches in for a dedicated server, it will just be added to the system. You will have no easy/intuitive way to just connect to the server you're paying for. You could spend $100 a month on a super high-quality server while some other guy runs one out of his basement, and instead of enjoying what you paid for you'd be equal with everybody else.

The only control you have over your server is a banner and the message of the day. There's a lot of freaking out going on in the mailing list, and we believe for good reason. With this system I see no incentive to purchase a server. People buy servers so they have a place to go that's theirs.

We're not sure who will be purchasing servers. A message on the list:

The problem is that people pay a LOT of money for a dedicated server to run game servers. If there is no way to get any benefits from a L4D server, people will be less likely to host. Plus, companies that only sell server won't be able to sell server if people can't play on their own server.

And another:

To reiterate what others are saying, us every day average joes who spend the money to run our own servers do it not only to give random people a place to play, but to form a community. This really isn't possible if players are randomly thrown in a server, as you get no chance to build/get to know regulars. If we can't use L4D to help build our own communities, then there isn't really a point in us paying for the hosting.

Hopefully we are still able to join a game by IP or from a browser list, and if not at first, I hope this feature is implemented by the time the final game is released.

We agree with both of these statements and are very eager to hear the response from Valve. We understand that Left 4 Dead is not like many other games.. there's a beginning and an end and you have a team to work with, not just a big capture the flag which is easy to drop in and out of. We believe the matchmaking system is a great idea and will make it easy to play with friends, but would also like for there to be an incentive and reason to actually purchase a server.

On top of all that, what happens with server mods and custom maps?